Latest news with #Gagai
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Newcastle Knights urged to backflip after brutal call to part ways with Origin hero
The Newcastle Knights and coach Adam O'Brien must surely be having second thoughts about the future of former State of Origin star Dane Gagai after Thursday night's stunning golden point win over Manly. The Knights came back from a 16-0 halftime deficit that saw them booed off the ground by their own fans, running in four tries to one after the break, before snatching the 26-22 win in extra time. At the heart of the epic come-from-behind victory was former Maroons star Gagai, who was arguably the best player on the field for the home side. Gagai had 10 tackle busts, three line break assists, a try assist and ran for 169 metres in Newcastle's victory, proving a handful for Manly's defence every time he touched the footy. The veteran centre has been one of the most consistent performers for the Knights over several seasons and showed his value to the Knights once again on Thursday night. But Maroons hero Gagai - who has played 22 Origin games for his state - is facing the prospect of being out of the Knights, amid reports the club is unwilling to take up his $400,000 team option for next season. Gagai has a team option to remain at the Knights in 2026 but reports that the club is unwilling to stump up the $400,000 to extend his contract. Such a figure appears more than reasonable for a player of Gagai's pedigree, who continues to punch out impressive performances as one of the NRL's most consistent centres. And for a 300-game player that only last year featured in Origin for the Maroons, it doesn't appear to make a whole lot of sense. But unless the 34-year-old is willing to take a pay cut to remain at the Hunter, it appears as though his future lies elsewhere beyond this season. Newcastle's hands are somewhat tied by salary cap constraints, with captain Kalyn Ponga on a $1.4 million per season deal and the club signing Eels playmaker Dylan Brown for next year, on a whopping 10-year, $13 million contract. Back-up halfback Jackson Hastings is also on big money but won't be at the club next season after O'Brien confirmed his contract wouldn't be extended. And the Knights are also set to lose prop Leo Thompson to the Bulldogs in 2026, with the future of English second-rower Kai Pearce-Paul also under a cloud. RELATED: Door ajar for Reece Walsh as Ponga on cusp of State of Origin ban Madge speaks on Cobbo axing as Broncos make key signing And while freeing up cap space to upgrade existing player contracts and chase other signings makes sense from a Newcastle perspective, many Knights fans believe the club should re-think its decision around Gagai. It's understood the veteran's management have already started sounding out rival NRL clubs for their interest in the veteran centre. Even if Gagai were to accept a downgrade on his current deal, the Knights are reportedly considering other options anyway, with the likes of James Schiller vying for a permanent centre role and exciting young outside back Fletcher Hunt coming through the ranks. But with Bradman Best currently sidelined and the gun centre having a chequered injury history, the Gagai decision is viewed by many fans as a head-scratcher from the Knights' top brass. Disappointing news re Gagz, still playing well enough for another 12-months imo. — Julian Vella (@vella_jay) June 5, 2025 They'll have to revisit that Gagai option after tonight! — Matt Blake (@MattyBlake1) June 5, 2025 We seem to be clearing a lot of cap space. I hope there's a plan. The Gags decision is surprising. — Duggo (@MJ_Duggos) June 5, 2025 I honestly don't understand the thought process about recruitment…we seem to want to let go of all our experienced players and leaders, gags, dsaf, Leo Thompson leaving Elliot & frizell maybe? Is this just the effects of salary cap? brown signing seems like a way to keep kp? — Irene (@IreneTheo_) June 5, 2025 Dane Gagai was heavily involved, playing a key role in the @NRLKnights come from behind win and was pretty good with the boot kicking 3/4 crucial conversions to setup a memorable Knights victory. #NRLKnightsManly #NRL — Seaside Mero (@local_navigator) June 5, 2025
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Huddersfield beat 12-man Hull for first win
Betfred Super LeagueHuddersfield (8) 12Tries: Cudjoe, Gagai Goals: Flanagan 2Hull FC (6) 10Tries: Ese-ese, Martin Goals: Sezer Huddersfield Giants claimed their first Super League win of the season as they edged 12-man Hull in a bad-tempered Magic Weekend Giants led 8-6 at half-time after George Flanagan's penalty and Leroy Cudjoe's score, with Herman Ese'ese crossing to cut the had Liam Knight sent off for a shoulder charge on Sam Hewitt on the stroke of half-time, and Jacob Gagai's try extended the Black and Whites defended superbly and Lewis Martin's brilliant flying finish brought them back within two points, but the Giants held out.A first win at the 10th attempt lifted Huddersfield off the bottom and above Salford on points difference, while Hull failed to take their chance to return to the top four and stay fifth after a third straight defeat. Clune's return and a Knight rush of blood prove pivotal The Giants welcomed back Adam Clune after almost two months out, and the half-back made an immediate impact, with two try assists as Huddersfield chalked up a 12th Magic Weekend edgy-looking Hull conceded a string of first-half penalties, allowing Flanagan to boot the Giants Woolford and Joe Greenwood spurned further gifts, knocking-on in strong attacking positions, before Cudjoe's step-and-go beat Will Pryce in a one-on-one to cross under the Cartwright's side had mustered little attacking threat, but responded immediately when the Giants coughed up possession from the Asiata's powerful surge to the line and super back-handed pass allowed Ese'ese to flop over for his fifth Super League try of the season, and only Flanagan's heroic tackle denied Cade Cust a certain try to preserve the slender the game hinged on two moments of madness as a full-blooded first half boiled over on prop Sam Eseh swiftly followed Thomas Burgess to the bin for a high tackle on Matty English which sparked a mass brawl. And with the next play, they were down to 11 when Knight was sent off for smashing a shoulder into Hewitt's Black and Whites managed their numerical disadvantage well after the break, but a loose Ese-ese pass was swiftly punished when Clune's brilliant cut-out pass took out four Hull defenders and put Gagai in the right a few minutes, Davy Litten's brilliant offload off the floor and Martin's superb one-handed flying finish in the corner made it 12-10 heading into the final dominated territory, but a combination of super Hull defence - including Cust's brilliant try-saving tackle - and Giants profligacy kept the game in the balance right the way to the final whistle. Huddersfield: Flanagan, Gagai, Milne, Halsall, Swift, Rush, Clune, Wilson, Woolford, Greenwood, Hewitt, Jake Bibby, Golding, English, Burgess, Jack Burgess (37)Hull FC: Pryce, Barron, Rapana, Litten, Martin, Cust, Sezer, Ese'ese, Bourouh, Knight, Hardaker, Chamberlain, Briscoe, Aydin, Ashworth, Eseh (39)Red card: Knight (40)Referee: Aaron Moore.
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Five-try Castleford thrash dismal Huddersfield
Betfred Super LeagueHuddersfield (6) 12Tries: Gagai, Wilson Goals: Flanagan 2Castleford (18) 30Tries: I Senior 2, Simm, Mellor, Milnes Goals: Milnes 5 Castleford Tigers thrashed a dismal Huddersfield Giants 30-12 at the John Smith's Stadium to earn just their second win of the Super League tries from Innes Senior and one each from Josh Simm, Alex Mellor and Rowan Milnes - who also kicked five goals - gave the Tigers a comfortable away win against their West Yorkshire full-back Jacob Gagai and Oliver Wilson grabbed consolation tries for the hosts, who were booed off by a handful of home supporters at victory means they stay 10th but move two points clear of Salford in the Super League standings, while Huddersfield remain rooted to the foot of the table, still without a point after nine to follow. Huddersfield: Gagai; Carr, Halsall, Jake Bibby, Swift; Flanagan, Rush; Wilson, Golding, Burgess, Hewitt, Greenwood, Woolford, English, Jack Bibby, Hoy; Simm, Cini, Wood, I Senior; Asi, Milnes; Amone, Rimbu, Dezaria, Simbiken, Mellor, Westerman, Okoro, Singleton, Westerman (33).Referee: Marcus Griffiths.
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Barron sparks late Hull FC win at Giants
Betfred Super LeagueHuddersfield (10) 10Tries: Gagai, Swift Goals: FlanaganHull FC (4) 11Tries: Martin, Barron Goal: Sezer DG: Sezer Harvey Barron's 90-metre interception try set up a dramatic comeback win for Hull FC at Huddersfield 21-year-old ended a dangerous Giants attack to grab Tui Lolohea's pass and race to the other end, with Aidan Sezer converting and then adding a drop-goal to win home side seemed to be heading for their first win of the Super League season after tries from Jacob Gagao and Adam Swift saw them up at half-time after Lewis Martin had given the Black and Whites an early seemed set to build on their lead but Hull dug in, defended well and struck in the final 15 minutes to make it two wins from to follow Huddersfield: Gagai, McGowan, Bibby, Hewitt, Swift, Lolohea, Flanagan, Wilson, Woolford, English, Murchie, Greenwood, CudjoeInterchanges: Burgess, Golding, Rogers, BillingtonHull FC: Moy, Martin, Rapana, Briscoe, Barron, Cust, Sezer, Ese'ese, Bourouh, Aydin, Chamberlain, Lane, AsiataInterchanges: Ashworth, Balmforth, Fash, SalabioReferee: Tom Grant
